|
In depth report: Saudi oil facility attacks may have come from Iraq
[ATimes] Missile and drone attacks most likely launched by pro-Iranian militias operating openly in Iraq.The leading Iraqi analyst based in the United States is Entifadh Qanbar, President and Founder of the Future Foundation. He previously served as Iraq’s deputy military attaché and as the spokesman and adviser for Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister. He closely follows developments in his home country and has many associates feeding him information that has more than once proved to be accurate. His information about the attack coming from Iraq is backed by prior history and by Pompeo’s clear declaration. As Qanbar knows, this attack would not be the first time Iran has used Iraq to hit Saudi oil facilities. At least one major previous attack was launched by Iraqi militias and the Iranians from Iraqi territory. Last June the Wall Street Journal carried an important report, based on conclusions reached by US officials, that a May 14 drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil industry originated in southern Iraq. According to the Journal, when challenged by the United States, Iraqi officials requested more information and claimed there was no conclusive evidence the attacks originated on their territory. There are a number of Iranian-guided Shia militias in Iraq that have received drones from Iran. Former senior Iraqi officials in Washington, who are opponents of the current Iraqi government they view as compromised by Iran, believe the likely culprit is Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (Movement of the Party of God’s Nobles). Hezbollah al-Nujaba had been heavily involved in the fighting in Syria and has received from Iran and operated a drone called the Yasir UAV (drone), based on the US Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle.
Related: Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba: 2019-05-26 Senior Peshmerga official warns of PMF excesses in Diyala Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba: 2019-03-29 At Least 7 Killed In Attack On Aleppo Wednesday Night; Syria Blames Israel - Report Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba: 2018-12-16 Iraqi fighters: Hezbollah not to be left alone in war Posted by: 3dc 2019-09-16 |
||
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=550443 |